Federal Aviation Administration July 13, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This proposal would amend the airworthiness standards for transport category airplanes by adding new cabin interior criteria for operators of private use airplanes. These standards may be used instead of the specific requirements that affect transport category airplanes operated by air carriers. The proposed standards would supplement the requirements for operation under the air traffic and general operating rules. This proposal is intended to provide alternative criteria for transport category airplanes that are operated for private use while continuing to provide an acceptable level of safety for those operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces its findings on the noise compatibility program submitted by the City of Laredo under the provisions of 49 U.S.C. (the Aviation Safety and Noise Abatement Act, hereinafter referred to as ``the Act'') and 14 CFR part 150. These findings are made in recognition of the description of Federal and nonfederal responsibilities in Senate Report No. 96-52 (1980). On September 22, 2005, the FAA determined that the noise exposure maps submitted by the City of Laredo under Part 150 were in compliance with applicable requirements. On June 22, 2007, the FAA approved the Laredo International Airport noise compatibility program. Most of the recommendations of the program were approved. No program elements relating to new or revised flight procedures for noise abatement were proposed by the airport operator.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is considering a proposal to change a portion of the airport from aeronautical use to non-aeronautical use and to authorize the lease of the airport property. The 97.10-acre parcel is located in the northeast quadrant of the airport. Currently, the land is not being used for aeronautical purposes. The land was acquired under FAA FAAP Project Nos. 9-12-023- C309 and FAAP 9-12-023-C510. There are no adverse impacts to the airport by allowing the airport to lease the property; and the associated fair market rental income will significantly increase the airport's available operational budget. Approval does not constitute a commitment by the FAA to financially assist in the lease of the subject airport property nor a determination of eligibility for grant-in-aid funding from the FAA. The disposition of proceeds from the lease of the airport property will be in accordance with FAA's Policy and Procedures Concerning the Use of Airport Revenue, published in the Federal Register on February 16, 1999. In accordance with section 47107(h) of title 49, United States Code, this notice is required to be published in the Federal Register 30 days before modifying the land-use assurance that requires the property to be used for an aeronautical purpose.

This document proposes adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (BHTC) Model 206A and 206B helicopters, serial numbers (S/N) 0004 through 3906, with two- piece vertical stabilizer (fin) supports (fin supports) installed. This proposal would require inserting a revision into the applicable maintenance manual, verifying the torque on the fin support attachment hardware, inspecting the fin support bracket and vertical fin for paint or gaps, and inspecting the fin support bracket for cracking, and if a crack is found, replacing the two-piece vertical fin support with a one-piece casting support. This proposal is prompted by an accident in which the fin supports failed. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to detect improper torque of the fin support attachment hardware, gaps between the fin support bracket and the doubler, painted mating surfaces of the fin supports, vertical fin, and vertical fin inserts (fin inserts), and cracking in the fin supports, to prevent the vertical fin from rotating into the tail rotor, separation of the tail rotor, and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.